Greece has always been against genetically modified organism (GMO) crops, Environment, Energy and Climate Change Minister Yiannis Maniatis told the European head of Greenpeace, Jorgo Riss, in a letter on Monday.

The European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund have expressed a view that the Greek government may repeat past mistakes if it manages to slip the shackles of its bailout program, said two officials, one from Greece and another from the European Union. They asked not to be named because the discussions are private.

The government plans to sell Public Power Corporation DEH soon. The deliberation time ends this week, March 14 and thereafter the “green light” for its sale will be given.

The memorial service for the fifty years since the death of King Paul at the former royal estate at Tatoi, last Thursday was more akin to a pre-election gathering than a somber funereal congregation.